ICC honours Hasan Ali for his impressive performance
Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali, whose career sky-rocketed in 2017, has been rewarded for an impressive breakthrough year in which he finished as the leading wicket-taker at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Although the 23-year-old made his ODI and T20I debuts in 2016, it was last year when he really took the cricketing world's attention. Pakistan’s maiden ICC Champions Trophy triumph propelled Hasan into millions of living rooms. He took 13 wickets in the tournament, earning the Player of the Series award in the process.
Despite playing in unfamiliar English conditions, he took four more wickets than any other bowler at an average of just 14.69 and an unsurpassed economy rate of 4.29.
ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year
🏆🇵🇰 Hasan AliIf you didn't know who @RealHa55an was before the Champions Trophy you sure do now!
He took 13 wickets in helping @TheRealPCB to glory, earning Player of the Series in the process.
More ?? https://t.co/w0jIe7E3lU#ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/0hyfhVU9Im
— ICC (@ICC) January 18, 2018
Since those headline-grabbing feats, Hasan has shown that he is far more than a one-tournament-wonder. He sustained his brilliance, claiming 45 wickets in 18 ODIs across 2017 at an average of 17.04.
He took five-wicket hauls against Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka and by November he had become the quickest Pakistan player to reach 50 ODI wickets, in just 24 matches. Hasan finished the year as the number one-ranked bowler in the ICC ODI bowling rankings.
His startling progress is shown by the fact that he began 2017 in 75th place. He took 426 days to reach the number one ranking – a feat bettered by just two others.
A message of thanks from @RealHa55an 🇵🇰 #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/t3QSPsauh5
— ICC (@ICC) January 18, 2018
In a video message Hasan said, “Winning the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award is an honour for me. It is a big achievement for Pakistan.”
“This is good for Pakistan, especially for young cricketers, who are coming to represent Pakistan. This award will boost their moral,” the 23-year-old added.
Hasan Ali shows off new skills
If the previous winners of the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award are anything to go by, then he is certainly on the right path. Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman won it in 2015 and 2016, respectively and have continued to make their mark at the highest level.
Other bowlers who have won the award in recent years include West Indian spinners Sunil Narine and Devendra Bishoo, England seamer Steven Finn and Australia paceman Peter Siddle.
Hasan held off some stiff competition to claim this year’s award, up against the likes of his teammate Shadab Khan, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav, West Indies quick Alzarri Joseph and Australian duo Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw.
All had standout years, but what set Hasan apart was his consistency and performances on the biggest stage at the ICC Champions Trophy.
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